Vulva cancer

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Vulvar cancer is cancer that starts in the vulva. Vulvar cancer most often affects the labia, the folds of skin outside the vagina. In some cases, vulvar cancer starts on the clitoris or in glands on the sides of the vaginal opening.

Causes

Most vulvar cancers begin in skin cells called squamous cells. Other types of cancers found on the vulva are:

Exams and Tests

Treatment

Treatment involves surgery to remove the cancer cells. If the tumor is large (more than 2 cm) or has grown deeply into the skin, the lymph nodes in the groin area may also be removed.

Radiation, with or without chemotherapy, may be used to treat advanced tumors or vulvar cancer that comes back.

Support Groups

You can ease the stress of illness by joining a cancer support group. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you not feel alone.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Most women with vulvar cancer who are diagnosed and treated at an early stage do well. But a woman's outcome depends on:

The size of the tumor

The type of vulvar cancer

Whether the cancer has spread

The cancer commonly comes back at or near the site of the original tumor.

Possible Complications

Complications may include:

Spread of the cancer to other areas of the body

Side effects of radiation, surgery, or chemotherapy

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if you have any of these symptoms for more than 2 weeks:

Local irritation

Skin color change

Sore on the vulva

Prevention

Practicing safer sex may decrease your risk of vulvar cancer. This includes using condoms to protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

A vaccine is available to protect against certain forms of HPV infection. The vaccine is approved to prevent cervical cancer and genital warts. It may help prevent other cancers linked to HPV, such as vulvar cancer. The vaccine is given to young girls before they become sexually active, and to adolescents and women up to age 26.

Routine pelvic exams can help diagnose vulvar cancer at an earlier stage. Earlier diagnosis improves your chances that treatment will be successful.

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